Inter Campus at the United Nations for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace | OneFootball

On International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Nerazzurri project returned to the United Nations headquarters to share its decades of experience in sport and children’s rights.

The event, titled “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” brought together athletes, third-sector representatives, and members of society. Through their stories, they showed how sport can help reduce inequalities and foster inclusionespecially for women, people with disabilities, and young people. Football, in particular, has the power to connect communities and generations, supporting the UN’s 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

An Inter Campus delegation was among the speakers, presenting evidence of the impact of its work in different parts of the world, including the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. They highlighted how their transcultural educational approach has delivered positive results for children and created lasting benefits for the communities involved.

Carlotta Moratti, President of the project, expressed her appreciation for the trust shown by the United Nations: “We’re very pleased with the attention given to the contribution of our educator and transcultural psychologist, Silvio Guareschi, and to our rigorous, research-based approach. One that helps us engage respectfully with children who have experienced trauma, as in our project in Palestine. Our role is also to give them positive experiences through sport, so they can find a sense of hope and confidence in their lives. That is our goal today.”

Also speaking at the event was Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs at UNDESA and former Ambassador of China to Italy: “Sport is an incredibly powerful tool for bringing generations together and uniting people. Today, we are exploring ways in which sport can reopen doors that may seem closed, especially in conflict areas, and how it can actively support peace and dialogue, particularly for children.”

Among the various agencies and institutions involved, the delegation also paid its customary visit to Italy’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, where Inter Campus opened discussions on potential future collaborations within the Mission’s institutional activities.

Since 1997, Inter Campus has been running social development and cooperation projects in 30 countries worldwide, working with the support of around 300 local staff. It has been part of Football for the Goals since 2022, the year the network was established. In 2023, Vice President Javier Zanetti joined the Circle of Supporters, highlighting the role of sport and football in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. After leading the Nerazzurri delegation to the United Nations for the Football for the Goals Forum in 2025, Zanetti will continue this important work this year as a Football for the Goals Champion.

Once again, Inter Campus demonstrates the Nerazzurri club’s commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of thousands of children around the world. It’s an ongoing effort that began nearly thirty years ago and is now recognised internationally thanks to the impact achieved. It has been made possible by the dedication of hundreds of local coaches, dozens of partners, and thousands of children across the globe.